Affordable Rates

Materials International Inc (MI) has a staff of experienced and trained solar inspectors that travel the entire USA to meet client inspection needs.

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Materials International solar inspectors have inspected over 500 MW of solar farms ranging in size from 50kW to 6MW.

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Our staff performs semi-annual, annual and corrective actions for clients.

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Each 2 man team is deployed to each solar site where they perform:

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•  Inspections Visually inspect all electrical enclosures (including but not limited to disconnect switches, combiner boxes, re-combiner boxes, inverters and transformers) for, corrosion, heat distortion, moisture entry, electrical termination torque marks, insect infestation, rodent issues and exterior damage. 

•  Inspections Visually inspect and document module cleanliness (e.g. inconsistent soiling patterns, spot soiling, etc.)

•  Inspections Visually inspect PV modules, racking, tracker equipment (if applicable) and wiring for broken/missing modules, damage, unexpected wear, loose racking hardware, unsecured wiring, chafing of electrical conductor insulation, and evidence of corrosion.

•  Inspections Inspect tracker systems following the manufacturer’s recommendations and including, but not limited to, evidence of wear, moisture intrusion, loss of lubrication, linkage damage in all motor drive/gearbox assemblies, bushings/bearings, linkage and torque tubes.

•  Inspections Visually inspect roof and/or canopy structures for damage, moisture entry and corrosion (where applicable). 

•  Inspections Inspect weather stations and all sensors.  Re-align sensors as required.   Validate functionality of all sensors through direct interface and/or SCADA. 

•  Inspections Visually inspect equipment grounding connections for loose or corroded connections at module frames and module racking/support structure. 

•  Inspections Visually inspect array and remove any build-up of debris and trash. 

•  Inspections Visually inspect all accessible wiring runs, elbows, weather heads, piping, conduits and wireways for loose connections, missing sealant, corrosion, moisture intrusion. 

•  Inspections Operate all inverter AC and DC disconnect switches.  Validate inverter response to shut down and proper start-up.

•  Inspections Check inverter operator display readings against SCADA and/or remote monitoring system.  

•  Inspections Clean pyranometers on site

•  Inspections Perform inverter preventative maintenance as recommended by inverter manufacturer including, but not limited to:  cable termination tightness check per NETA MTS (dc power cables from combiner/recombiner boxes to the inverter, ac power cables from the inverter to the pad mounted step up transformer, and connections from the inverter to the ground system), thermal imaging scans (per Note E above), replacement/washing of filters, clean-out of debris, verification of switches/fuses, check coolant level, check for moisture intrusion, checking of door seals, verification of ventilation/heating systems, checking for firmware upgrades.  Updating firmware is considered Additional Services if not covered under the inverter warranty.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform all component supplier recommended maintenance, service and inspections, including but not limited to, maintenance on arrays, combiner boxes, weather stations, re-combiners, inverters, and trackers.  For avoidance of doubt, parts replacements that are not Consumables are not included in Scheduled Maintenance Fee, nor are major rebuild recommendations by suppliers.  Major rebuild is a major equipment disassembly for inspection, testing and/or component replacement; and the subsequent reassembly that is not part of the MFG recommended routine scheduled maintenance procedures.  

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform manufacturer-recommended maintenance on single-axis trackers including, but not limited to, calibration of sensors/tracker, inspection of torque tube for distortion and bearings for excessive wear, inspection of electronic enclosure seals for integrity, and perform inspection and lubrication of gearboxes/slew drives.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform a ground continuity test to validate the integrity of the equipment grounding system.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform open circuit voltage and either operating current or short circuit current testing of 10% of PV strings with emphasis on the lowest performing inverter for projects with multiple inverters, the lowest performing combiner boxes, or the lowest performing PV module harnesses/stings if the site is instrumented to provide remote data for combiner boxes or harnesses/strings. 

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations IV curve trace 0.5% of the PV strings or 2 strings in each inverter block, whichever is greater.  The tested PV strings shall be the same strings each year and shall be selected so that a representative sample of the different module types/manufacturers is evaluated. IV curve testing shall be performed during the same season each year and during irradiance conditions of at least 700 W/m2.  The modules in the strings to be tested shall be cleaned before testing.  The operator shall compare the test results to the PV manufacturer’s publish degradation rate and record the comparison results in the operator’s CMMS.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform a thermal imaging scan of all combiner boxes and if applicable recombiner boxes.  Report and investigate anomalies/ hot spots and perform corrective action as required.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Perform, or cause to be performed, pyranometer calibration following manufacturer’s recommended practices.

• System Testing, Preventative Maintenance and Calibrations Validate functionality of all communications, data logging and computer equipment, verify loss of communication alarms, test battery back-up systems and validate monitored data points appear correctly on the remote monitoring system.

• Interconnect Equipment Visually inspect and IR scan all electrical enclosures and equipment (including but not limited to disconnect switches, circuit breakers, metal-clad switchgear, protective relaying, battery systems, transformers, exposed bus work and containing structures) for blown fuses, corrosion, heat distortion, moisture entry, electrical termination torque, insect infestation, rodent issues and exterior damage. Specifically excludes any testing and inspection which cannot be safely carried out by O&M Operator personnel and/or includes a partial or total shutdown of the site (unless such shutdown is approved by Customer). Operator will request approval for shutdown from Customer prior to performing such inspections and scans. 

• Interconnect Equipment Perform electrical testing of all electrical enclosures and equipment (including but not limited to disconnect switches, circuit breakers, metal-clad switchgear, protective relaying, battery systems, transformers, exposed bus work and containing structures).  

• Interconnect Equipment Perform functional testing of any battery back-up systems (including but not limited to, verification the battery ventilation/heating system operates, inspection of physical and mechanical condition, inspection of battery support racks or cabinets, mounting, and grounding, electrical testing per OEM, measurement of charger float and equalizing voltage levels, and verification of all charger functions and alarms)

• Interconnect Equipment Perform NETA MTS non-optional visual and mechanical inspections for LV to MV step up power transformers and MV to HV step up power transformers.  Perform manufacturer recommended and NETA MTS non-optional electrical testing for MV to HV step up power transformers.  Perform dissolved gas analysis of all oil filled LV to MV and MV to HV power transformers.  For oil filled pad mounted LV to MV power transformers, perform NETA MTS visual and mechanical inspection and dissolved gas analysis only. 

• Interconnect Equipment Visually inspect surge suppressors and arrestors for evidence of operation.

• Site Maintenance and Erosion Control Visually inspect access and interior roads associated with Project.  Operator to perform corrective action as can reasonably be carried out by regularly assigned site personnel with common hand tools and supplies.  

• Site Maintenance and Erosion Control Visually inspect equipment foundations, PV module support posts, fence posts and all equipment/ground interfaces for evidence of erosion. Operator to perform corrective action as can reasonably be carried out by regularly assigned site personnel with common hand tools and supplies.   Report all other issues to Customer.

• Site Maintenance and Erosion Control Visually inspect storm water management system (e.g., drainage channels, culverts, etc.) and erosion and sedimentation controls. Operator to perform corrective action as can reasonably be carried out by regularly assigned site personnel with common hand tools and supplies.  

• Site Maintenance and Erosion Control Visually inspect landscaping features. Operator to perform corrective action as can reasonably be carried out by regularly assigned site personnel with common hand tools and supplies.

• SCADA, DAS, Protection and Control Systems Perform scheduled maintenance on SCADA and Data Acquisition systems, in accordance with Manufacturer’s instructions. 

• SCADA, DAS, Protection and Control SystemsPerform applicable inspection and testing of protective relays and other protection and control equipment per NETA MTS.  Excludes inspections and testing that require a partial or total shutdown of the site (unless such shutdown is approved by Customer).

• Common Facilities Maintenance Visually inspect any common facilities (including, but not limited to an Operations and Maintenance building, spare parts storage, utility connections, etc.) for moisture intrusion, roof damage, exterior damage and corrosion.  Test all functional systems. Operator to perform corrective action as can reasonably be carried out by regularly assigned site personnel with common hand tools and supplies.

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